Over the past few decades, the gaming industry has undergone remarkable transformations, evolving and adapting to technological advancements. While some aspects of “modern gaming”evoke skepticism, there’s no denying the significant progress made.
The 1990s marked a pivotal era, as technological innovations raised expectations, compelling beloved franchises to explore new dimensions, often with mixed results. The transition from 2D to 3D gameplay especially proved to be a double-edged sword—with some titles thriving while others faced critical backlash.
Occasionally, the fallout from these transitions made headlines for all the wrong reasons, leading to many franchises fading into obscurity or reverting to two-dimensional gameplay. Below, we explore notable instances where the transition to 3D proved particularly detrimental.
8 Bubsy 3D
Famous For The Wrong Reasons
Bubsy, once an entertaining character in the 2D landscape of the SNES era, unfortunately stumbled in his transition to 3D on the PlayStation 1.Critics have branded Bubsy 3D as one of the worst games on the console, citing its poor controls, garish color scheme, and uninspired humor.
While numerous subpar titles exist on the PS1, the infamy of Bubsy 3D significantly tarnished the franchise’s reputation, effectively sidelining it until a surprising revival emerged with a PS4 release in 2017.
If you’re interested in revisiting this classic blunder, a Bubsy collection is set to launch later this year.
7 Contra: Rogue Corps
Butchering A Classic
Known for its fast-paced, run-and-gun gameplay, the Contra series faced a harsh evolution in 2019 with the release of Contra: Rogue Corps. This modern entry strayed far from the franchise’s roots, introducing convoluted mechanics that slowed down the experience while attempting to adapt to a generic 3D environment.
Existing in the memory of gamers as a muddled mess, players were particularly frustrated by the baffling weapon overheating system among other missteps. For those seeking to embrace classic Contra gameplay on modern systems, the Anniversary Collection remains a superior alternative.
6 Prince of Persia 3D
A History Lesson
While Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is celebrated as an excellent 3D adaptation of the classic franchise, its predecessor, Prince of Persia 3D, released in 1999, is largely forgotten for all the wrong reasons. Available on PC and Dreamcast, it presented itself as an unpolished 3D endeavor plagued with clunky controls, drawing severe criticism from players and critics alike.
The disastrous reception led to the eventual sale of the development studio by Mattel, ushering in a new era for the franchise when it came under Ubisoft’s helm, where it received the respect it deserved.
5 Worms 3D
An Unwanted Twist On The Formula
The Worms franchise remains popular, particularly the 1999 hit, Worms Armageddon. However, its foray into 3D with Worms 3D was less than successful. While it attempted to maintain the engaging gameplay of its 2D predecessors, the transition resulted in numerous camera challenges, often getting stuck behind obstacles and hindering the experience.
Moreover, the 3D perspective detracted from the immediacy gamers enjoyed in earlier iterations. Team 17 learned from this misstep, returning to their roots in 2016 with the release of Worms: WMD.
4 Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
How The Mighty Have Fallen
As one of the most impactful intellectual properties in gaming history, Pokémon has become a cultural phenomenon. Yet, its attempts at 3D evolution, particularly with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on the Nintendo Switch, resulted in a poorly optimized experience that disappointed many fans.
Unlike their predecessors on the Game Boy, which delivered a straightforward charm, Scarlet and Violet were criticized in 2022 for technical faults and lack of polish. Although Pokémon remains a lucrative franchise, these titles struck a sour note even among dedicated followers.
In an era where games like Palworld showcase successful 3D creature-capturing mechanics, many fans are left longing for the quality and finesse of earlier Pokémon experiences.
3 Earthworm Jim 3D
Groovy!
Earthworm Jim emerged amidst the ’90s gross-out humor craze, captivating gamers with its quirky premise. This platformer, starring a worm donning a spacesuit, became famous for its unpredictable challenges. However, its transition to 3D on the N64 proved lackluster, with many reviewers slamming its bland visuals and ineffective camera.
Against a backdrop of illustrious titles like Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario 64, Earthworm Jim 3D struggled to justify its price point, leading many to question why they would opt for this title over more polished alternatives.
2 Mega Man X7
Newer Doesn’t Mean Better
Mega Man has long been celebrated for its precise 2D platforming and iconic gameplay mechanics. However, Mega Man X7 on the PS2 is widely considered a significant misstep for the franchise, departing from the beloved elements of the series in favor of a clunky, slow-paced 3D shooter.
Players often found themselves frustrated with excessive exposition detracting from character appeal, leaving many wondering if this truly was a Mega Man game. Thankfully, the series rebounded with subsequent entries that returned to the franchise’s core principles.
1 Sonic the Hedgehog
The Redemption Arc
Sonic the Hedgehog is both celebrated and scrutinized for its 3D ventures, with some successes overshadowed by notable failures, especially the 2006 installment releasing for the Xbox 360. Advertised with high expectations, it quickly became infamous due to its myriad glitches and gameplay flaws.
This iteration has become a cautionary tale, a glaring reminder of the challenges in transitioning iconic characters into a new dimension. Despite its troubled history, Sonic’s more recent entries have shown promise as the franchise finds success in both their 2D and 3D formats.
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